Helen Marie (Max) Fry

Helen Marie Max Fry passed away on October 31, 2015 in Williamsport, IN. She was born on June 17, 1936 in Kewanna, IN to James and Faye McCown Max. She lived on a farm in Benton County and in Foresman, where her father operated a grain elevator. She then moved to the Shigley farm, and then to the Pine Village area where she and her family lived in town and on the farm on the Templeton Road. She married Charles William “Bill” Fry on August 19, 1956 in Rossville, IN. He survives. In addition to her husband, she is survived by her mother, Faye Max; her brother, James Lindy (Marie) Max; daughters, Michelle (Mike) Eberle; Margo Fry (Jim) Schutt; April (John) Hegg and Amy Fry. In addition, Bill and Helen have four grandchildren: Charles William Alexander Hegg; Emily Fayeth Fry-Schutt; Patrick Joseph Hegg; and Charles James Fry-Schutt. Helen attended Pine Village grade and high schools. She graduated in 1954. She studied at Butler University and was a member of the Jordan Conservatory of Music. She graduated from Purdue University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology and Sociology at Purdue University. Later, she completed her Master’s Degree in Recreation and Sociology at Purdue University. Helen became a musician and taught privately at the Maurie Bennett Music Store and Studio. She played alto saxophone, tenor saxophone and clarinet in a group called the Villagaires. She also performed with the Lafayette Citizens Band, the Wabash Valley Area Band and the Crawfordsville Community Band. She also gave piano and instrument lessons out of her home. Helen taught at Purdue University, and at several studios in Warren and Benton Counties. She taught yoga, relaxation techniques and belly dancing. She worked at Westminster Village and the Area IV Agency on Aging, where she worked as a Supervisor upon her retirement in 2002. She had received a grant from the Indiana Board of Health to teach others to take blood pressures. Helen and Bill were active in the Pine Creek Association, to preserve and maintain the natural resources of the Pine Creek Area. She worked with legislators in the deactivation of the bill to build a reservoir in the Pine Creek Valley. Helen enjoyed many hobbies, including painting, creating sweatshirts, reading, landscaping, horseback riding and traveling. Helen and Bill raised Hereford cattle and Helen enjoyed showing horses and encouraging her daughters in equine activities. She loved her horses, especially her American Saddlebred, Betty Rath, and American Quarter Horse, J.D. Helen enjoyed all music and musicals on stage and screen. Her favorites included the late John Denver and Alison Kraus. Visitation will be at Grady Funeral Home in Williamsport on Tuesday, November 3, 2015 from 1:00 p.m. until service time at 3:00 p.m. with Pastor Dave Keeton and John Hegg officiating. Interment will follow at Rainsville Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the Helen Max Fry Music Scholarship through the Warren County Community Foundation or Paws ‘n’ Claws Animal Shelter.